Apparatus for converting reflectortype floodlighting systems to use with sealed beamfloodlamps



y 1968 s. M. NEELY ET AL 3,392,274

APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING REFLECTOR-TYPE FLOODLIGHTING SYSTEMS TO USE WITH SEALED BEAM FLOODLAMPS Filed D80. 12, 1966 United States Patent APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING REFLECTOR- TYPE FLOODLIGHTING SYSTEMS TO USE WITH SEALED BEAM FLOODLAMPS Samuel M. Neely, 511 N. Mayo, Compton, Calif. 90221, and Norman M. Harford, 3831 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro, Calif. 90731 Filed Dec. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 601,058 5 Claims. (Cl. 240--3) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A floodlighting system converted to use sealed beam floodlamps in lieu of transparent envelope lamps and utilizing the reflectors formerly required to direct the light beam to protect and stabilize an associated sealed beam floodlamp.

This invention relates to outdoor floodlighting systems for lighting playing fields, parking areas, and the like and more particularly to simple, inexpensive means for converting reflector type floodlighting systems to use with sealed beam floodlamps. There is no need for disturbing the installed system or the adjustment of the reflectors. The conversion is accomplished by a converter kit having an articulated adapter designed to be substituted for the conventional transparent envelope type floodlamp, the adapter being adjusted to support a sealed beam floodlamp coaxially of the larger end of the reflector which is then effective to illuminate exactly the same area formerly illuminated by reflection from the reflector. The entire assembly is preferably reinforced by installation of a resilient stabilizer between the rim of the new floodlamp and the rim of the reflector.

Prior floodlighting systems using transparent envelope incandescent lamps in combination with a surrounding specially contoured reflector are in use in large numbers but are notoriously inefficient and ineffective after a brief period of use. This is due to various factors including in particular the collection of dirt on the reflecting surface and the deterioration of this surface as an effective light reflector. These prior systems have been installed and adjusted to distribute the light in a desired pattern at high cost.

The sealed beam type floodlamp developed during recent years is capable of operating throughout its lifetime at high efficiency utilizing a protected coating applied to its interior surface and is known to maintain its efiiciency throughout the life of the filament. However, it has not been possible heretofore to replace the transparent envelope type floodlamp with the sealed beam type because essentially all reflectors have a reflecting axis at an angle to the axis of the associated lamp socket. Consequently, it is usually not possible to substitute or even install a sealed beam floodlamp in place of the old type lamp. Even if the reflector does permit, portions of the reflector are in the path of the light beam and cut off a sizable portion of the light beam from the sealed beam lamp. Even more serious is the fact that the light beam from this lamp now falls on an entirely different area than intended and it is necessary to go to the very considerable expense of resighting each floodlamp at night and while the lamps are energized.

By the present invention there is provided a simple inexpensive converter kit by which relatively unskilled workmen can convert installed reflector type illuminating systems to use with sealed beam floodlamps with a minimum amount of labor and expense and without need for energizing the lighting facility or for making any changes in the adjustment of any lamp. To this end, the converter kit comprises a simply constructed rugged articulated adapter having a threaded male fitting at one end insertable in the existing floodlight socket and having a threaded socket at its other end for seating a conventional sealed beam floodlamp. Locking means carried by the adjuster joint of the adapter enables the workman quickly and easily to lock the socket end of the adapter with its axis coincident with the axis of the existing light refiecor. This adjustment having been made and secured, a sealed beam floodlamp is installed in the socket. Additionally, and desirably, a stabilizer is installed between the periphery of the floodlamp and the surrounding rim portion of the reflector thereby assuring that the floodlamp will remain in its desired adjusted position to avoid undue strain on the original lamp socket and in order that the lamp and the reflector may mutually assist one another in strengthening and stabilizing the floodlamp facility. Also if desired, and preferably, a protective transparent cover is clipped over the rim of the reflector to exclude moisture, insects and the wind.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved, simple, and inexpensive mode of converting existing reflector type floodlighting systems to use with a sealed beam floodlamp.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a converter kit for use in converting a floodlighting system utilizing transparent type incandescent lamps in combination with a reflector to use with a sealed beam floodlamp without need for resighting the floodlamps and while utilizing the old reflector guide in spotting the new lamp and as a protective housing therefor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of simple components by means of which workmen having a minimum of training may convert an existing floodlighting system to use with sealed beam floodlamps without need for energizing the floodlights at any time during the conversion operation and while using the installed adjusted light reflectors as a guide in clamping the converter components in a proper position to light the same area previously illuminated by the reflector.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

FIGURE 1 is a generally schematic view of a reflectortype floodlighting system after being converted to use with sealed beam floodlamps;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view partly in section of the floodlights shown in FIGURE 1 With the new lamp in place therein; and

FIGURE 3 is a bottom-plan view of FIGURE 2 taken on a plane spaced outwardly and parallel to the larger end of the reflector.

Referring more particularly initially to FIGURE 1, there is shown a typical outdoor floodlighting system including an upright pole iii having a reflector type floodlighting facility designated generally 11 supported at the top thereof by a bracket 12. Floodlight 11 includes any suitable main body 13 connected to bracket 12 as by a universal ball and socket joint 14 having any suitable means for clamping lighting facility 11 in a desired adjusted position.

Rigidly but adjustably secured to main body 13 is a suitable light reflector 16 of rigid material, as metal. This reflector includes a conical shank 17 at its smaller end housing a lamp socket 18. lormally, reflector 16- is adjustably socketed within main body 13, and can be rotated about the axis of its shank to aid in casting the reflected light beam on a desired area being illuminated. The details of these various adjustments and locking means are well known to those skilled in this art and it will be understood that these can be readily manipulated when loosened to perm-it proper adjustment of the light from the lamp. Since these details form no part of this invention, they need not be further described here.

It should be further pointed out that many conventional light reflecting hoods 16 have their main reflecting surfaces formed about a light reflecting axis at some angle to the axis of shank 17. As here shown, the axis of the reflector proper lies at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to shank 17. Usually such reflectors include a spherical inner section 20 having a reflecting surface generally concentric with the spherical transparent envelope of an incandescent floodlamp, not shown. The light from the lamp filament of such lamps emanates in all directions and is reflected in part from reflecting surface 20 and, in part, from the much larger reflector 21 formed within the larger diameter outer end portion of the reflector.

It is obviously not practical to install a sealed beam type of floodlamp 25 directly within socket 18 because such lamps are normally so sized and shaped that they cannot be installed within socket 18, and additionally, a major portion of the output of such a lamp would be cut ofl by reflector 16.

Accordingly, there is provided by this invention an articulated adapter designated generally 27 formed by two tubular sections 28, 29 adjustably interconnected at their adjacent ends by a hinge pin assembly 30 of any suitable construction readily manipulatable in known manner to lock tube 28, 29 in any desired angular relationship. Secured to the free end of tube 28 is a threaded male fitting 32 whereas the outer free end of tube 29 carries a female lamp socket 33. Electrical wiring interconnects the electrical contacts of male fitting 32 with the correspond-ing electrical fittings of socket 33.

To convert the old type of floodlighting system to the new type, it is merely necessary for a work-man to climb to the top of pole using steps 35. When at the proper height he removes the well known transparent envelope floodlamp from socket 18 and replaces this lamp with adapter 27. Once this adapter has been snugly screwed into socket 18, socketed end 33 is pivoted so that its axis is accurately centered to coincide with the axis of reflector 16. Once in this position, the locking facility for pivot pin 30 is tightened to clamp the adapter firmly in this adjusted position. A sealed beam floodlamp 25 is then installed in socket 33 and a stabilizer is also preferably installed between the larger diameter end of the floodlamp and the rim portion of reflector 16 to avoid overstraining socket 18.

Such a stabilizer is shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 as comprising a ring 36 only slightly larger in diameter than the larger end of lamp 25. Interconnecting this ring and the rim of reflector 16 are a plurality and preferably three resilient spring links 38 having hooks 39 at their outer ends engageable over the edge of reflector 16. To keep out rain water, snow, wind and dirt it is also desirable to add a transparent cover 40 over the remainder of the assembly. Such a cover may be provided with a resilient rim 41 having a snug frictional fit with the reflector and, additionally, thumb screws or the like may be employed to lock this cover against accidental dislodgement.

As will be apprecited from the foregoing, a simple gauging disc or tool contoured to fit about adapter socket 33 with its periphery engageable with reflector surface 21 radially opposite the socket can be utilized by the workman in quickly and accurately centering socket 31 with its axis coincident with the axis of the reflector. Once in this position, pivot 30 can be rigidly locked in place. It will therefore be readily apparent that there is no need for loosening any of the adjusting clamps between main body 13 and bracket 12, or between the floodlight main body and reflector 16. At the same time the workman has assurance that the adjustment of adapter socket 33 to lie in the center of the reflector provides adequate assurance that the newly installed sealed beam light will be properly positioned to illuminate the same elliptical area 42 formerly illuminated by the original lamp and reflector 16.

While the particular apparatus and method for converting reflector-type floodlighting systems to use With beam floodlamps herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A converter kit for use in converting a floodlighting system utilizing incandescent lamps with an associated external reflector to a system using fioodlamps with builtin reflectors, said converter comprising an adapter having a screw-type lamp base and a lamp socket at its opposite ends and including means for adjusting said ends to lie along different intersecting axes, a sealed beam floodlamp with a built-in reflector within the glass envelope thereof supported in said lamp socket, and centering means adapted to be assembled and supported between the exterior of said floodlamp and the larger end portion of a floodlight reflector to hold said floodlamp stabilized and generally centered centrally of said reflector whereby the beam of said floodlamp falls on the same lighted surface area as the beam previously directed thereon by said reflector.

2. A floodlighting facility for lighting a remotely positioned surface comprising, a rigid support, a bracket attached to said support provided with an electrical socket, a light reflector hood having the mounting end thereof encircling said electrical socket and having generally circular light reflecting surfaces arranged to direct a floodlight beam along an axis lying at an angle to the axis of said electrical socket, an articulated adapter having one end threaded in and energizable from said electrical socket and having a sealed beam floodlight detachably socketed in the opposite outwardly facing end thereof, said articulated adapter being rigidly adjusted to support the axis of said floodlamp generally coincident with the axis of the larger end of said reflector, and stabilizer means interposed between the rim portion of said reflector and the envelope of said sealed beam floodlamp to facilitate holding said floodlamp directed to illuminate substantially the same portion of the surface formerly illuminated by light reflected thereto by said reflector.

3. A floodlighting facility as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said stabilizer is resilient and so formed as to be held assembled to the rim of said reflector by the resilient stabilizer components.

4. A floodlighting facility as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said stabilizer includes a ring slightly larger in diameter than the outer end of said floodlamp and including radially disposed resilient connectors distributed equitably about the eircurference of said ring and including means for connecting their outer ends to the rim portion of said reflector.

5. A floodlighting facility as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said stabilizer comprises ring means sized to embrace a floodlamp closely in a plane spaced axially from the mounting end thereof and a plurality of resilient link means distributed about said means and 5 connecting the latter with the rim of said reflector hood 2,699,491 and effective to hold the floodlarnp resiliently centered 3,056,035 therein. 3,149,785 3,270,192

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,259,999 10/1941 Bryant et al. 240-73 Sternarnan 2403 Bernheim 240-25 Appleton 240-3 Watson 240--3.1

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

R. A. SCHROEDER, Assistant Examiner. 

